Celebrity Auctioneer John Akouri Raises Thousands for International Visitors Council at Annual Detroit Regional Chamber Consular Ball

(BIRMINGHAM)... Hundreds of Michigan's movers and shakers reveled in a night of international celebration earlier this month at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. Over 350 regional business leaders gathered to attend the annual Detroit Regional Chamber International Consular Ball honoring the Consular Corps of Detroit, the 2008 World Trader of the Year - Hon. Robert A. Ficano, Wayne County Executive and the 2008 Emerging Global Leader - Rex R. Struble, Stonebridge Business Partners. The World Trader of the Year award is given annually to recognize an individual or company that has demonstrated exceptional involvement and made significant contributions in the promotion of international trade with Southeast Michigan. Television personality John Akouri took to the stage for the second year in a row to serve as the evenings celebrity auctioneer - topping last years auction proceeds. The Chamber's International Consular Ball, a black-tie event, also recognizes the region's Consular Corps, official representatives of foreign governments serving this area. This year's honored Diplomats included Acting Consul General of Lebanon Bachir Tawk, Consul General of Turkey Nurten Ural, Consul General of Liberia Mohamad Baydoun, and Consul General of Jordan Habib Fakhouri.

The Detroit Regional Chamber, the largest chamber of commerce in the United States with more than 19,000 members, works to power the economy for Southeast Michigan and has done so with over 100 years of service to the business community. The Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation supports the efforts of the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership. The Partnership works with public and private sector partners to promote the world as a good place to do business throughout southeast Michigan. The partnership has worked to bring 355 companies and 8,650 jobs to the region resulting in more than $1.5 billion in new investment. The International Visitors Council of Metropolitan Detroit (IVC) holds both a silent and live auction at the Consular Ball each year to raise funds for its work. IVC plans professional, cultural and social arrangements for official international visitors who are sponsored by the United States Department of the State. International visitors are leaders and emerging leaders in various professions who are considered key decision-makers. As Detroit’s official host of U.S. Department of State sponsored visitors, IVC Detroit facilitates professional and personal meetings for international leaders during official visits to Detroit to enhance, respect, and communicate through international exchanges and alliances. IVC Detroit promotes the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan and their resources including Detroit's important business and cultural centers.